Apollosa Carnival (I Truocioli)
The children's «Truocioli» parade and allegorical floats in the heart of the Sannio region
About Apollosa Carnival
A Carnival built by the community
In Apollosa, a small town in the province of Benevento, in the heart of the Sannio region in Campania, Carnival is not a show imported from elsewhere: it is a collective effort that begins weeks in advance in garages and home courtyards. The Apollosa Carnival takes place over several Sundays in February and combines two complementary spirits: the «Truocioli» parade, reserved for children, and the procession of allegorical floats along the main streets of the town.
The «Truocioli», the original heart of the festival
The local dialect term truociolo refers, according to the event's regulations, to «any vehicle equipped with at least one wheel» that can be pushed, pulled, or steered at a speed not exceeding 5 km/h. In practice: carts, wheelbarrows, strollers, and handcrafted structures made of wood, metal, or plastic, pushed by hand and dressed up for the occasion. Every year, dozens of children, accompanied by parents and grandparents, bring their decorated vehicles to the square. In 2026, the competition reached its eleventh edition: a small record for a town of this size.
The coordinator of this historic competition, Filomena Donato, notes that this is a typical carnival tradition of the Sannio village, which has evolved over the years without losing its spontaneous character. There is no absolute winner to celebrate: all children receive a participation certificate, traditional Carnival sweets, and their fair share of confetti and streamers.
Sundays of allegorical floats
After the opening dedicated to the little ones, the Apollosa Carnival continues with the parades of allegorical floats, which travel through the main streets of the town amidst music, masks, and entertainment. The floats are created by local associations and feature classic themes—references to the world of animation, musical tributes, and light satire—with a level of craftsmanship that surprises visitors. The gathering is traditionally set in Piazza Saponaro starting at 2:30 PM.
Piazza Saponaro and Piazza Grasso, the stage for the celebration
The geography of the festival is simple and consistent: it starts at Piazza Pasquale Saponaro, where the Town Hall is located, and arrives at Piazza Grasso, which hosts the official greetings, the awarding of certificates, and the final masquerade party. The distances can be covered on foot in just a few minutes: this is one of the advantages of a village Carnival, where there is no need for miles of barriers or tickets.
Who organizes it
The event is promoted by the Amici di Monte Mauro Association together with other local groups—over the years, the Confraternita del SS. Rosario and the Apollosa Youth Forum have also collaborated—with the patronage of the Municipality of Apollosa. Mayor Danilo Parente has publicly thanked the Amici di Monte Mauro and all the associations that contribute to the success of the event. The local school, the Istituto Comprensivo Settembrini, is also involved.
Why it is worth the trip
Those looking for a monumental Carnival will find the major events of Campania elsewhere. In Apollosa, however, you will find something rarer: a truly homemade Carnival, where children do not just watch the parade but build it, and where the town square remains the place where the community recognizes itself. For a family visiting the Sannio region in February, it is a simple, free, and genuine stop, just a few kilometers from Benevento.
Apollosa Carnival — edition 2026
Apollosa Carnival 2026
The 2026 Carnival of Apollosa opened on Sunday, February 1st, with the eleventh edition of the «Truocioli», the event dedicated to children that has made the Sannio village recognizable well beyond the borders of the province of Benevento. In the early afternoon, the children gathered in Piazza Saponaro with their wheeled vehicles—carts, wheelbarrows, and handcrafted structures made of wood, metal, or plastic, pushed by hand and decorated for the occasion—before the parade towards Piazza Grasso.
Here, after the greetings from the municipal administration, participation certificates were awarded to all children, accompanied by traditional Carnival sweets and a masquerade party with confetti and streamers. Mayor Danilo Parente thanked the Amici di Monte Mauro Association and all the local associations that contributed to the success of the event.
The two following Sundays, February 8 and 15, 2026, were reserved for the traditional parade of allegorical floats along the main streets of the town, with gatherings in Piazza Saponaro from 2:30 PM and the usual entertainment that characterizes the Apollosa Carnival. All events took place on public roads, with free admission.
Programme Apollosa Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 1, 2026 — 11th edition of the «Truocioli»
- Early afternoon: gathering of children and their wheeled vehicles in Piazza Saponaro
- Official presentation of the event and snack for participants
- Colorful parade of decorated carts from Piazza Saponaro to Piazza Grasso
- In Piazza Grasso: greetings from the municipal administration and awarding of participation certificates to all children
- Distribution of traditional Carnival sweets and masquerade party with confetti and streamers
Sunday, February 8, 2026 — allegorical float parade
- 2:30 PM: gathering in Piazza Saponaro
- Parade of allegorical floats along the main streets of the town, with music and entertainment
Sunday, February 15, 2026 — second allegorical float parade
- 2:30 PM: gathering in Piazza Saponaro
- New parade of allegorical floats on the city route, closing the Apollosa Carnival
Highlights Apollosa Carnival 2026
- 11th edition of the «Truocioli»: wheeled vehicles built and decorated by the village children
- Two Sundays of allegorical float parades created by local associations
- Participation certificate and Carnival sweets for all children
- Short walking route between Piazza Saponaro and Piazza Grasso, in the center of Apollosa
- Event entirely free and family-friendly
Prices Apollosa Carnival 2026
Practical information — Apollosa Carnival
How to get there
Apollosa is located a few kilometers from Benevento, in the hilly hinterland of the Sannio. A car is the most convenient way to travel: from the provincial capital, follow the signs for Apollosa and park in the free areas on the outskirts of the town center. By train, it is best to get off at Benevento Centrale and continue by local bus or taxi. The reference airport is Naples Capodichino.
Admission and costs
The parades take place on public roads and are free: no tickets, no reservations required. Participation for children with their own «truociolo» should be arranged with the organizers in the days prior.
Practical tips
- On float Sundays, the meeting point is Piazza Saponaro from 2:30 PM: it is best to arrive a little early to find a spot.
- Dress the children in costumes: here, it is the rule, not the exception.
- February in the Sannio region is cold and windy—bring a heavy jacket and comfortable shoes.
- For final schedules, it is best to check the channels of the Municipality of Apollosa and the organizing associations, which publish flyers a few days before the event.
Where to eat and sleep
Apollosa offers few dining options; for a wider choice of restaurants and accommodations, it is convenient to stay in Benevento, just a few minutes away by car.
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Where does it take place — Apollosa Carnival
Piazza Saponaro e Piazza Grasso
Piazza Pasquale Saponaro, 82030 Apollosa